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Unsure about snow performance

40K views 203 replies 73 participants last post by  BManz 
#1 ·
Ok so after a few weeks of driving on snowy/icy roads I'm not really all that happy with the performance on snow and ice. Honestly it feels more like a rear wheel drive vehical than not.

With my old TJ and even my 06 Grand (basic laredo 4x4) when I'd get on the gas in a snowy corner the vehical would spin but the front wheels would pull it around the corner and keep from getting too loose. With the WK2 I was testing the abilities in a empty lot so I could get use to it's feel and the tail end would come around on me almost every time. Normal and snow modes.

I thought maybe that the Hemi just had too much power but the more I test it the more it seems like something is wrong. This morning I put it into 4 low to see if I could feel the front end grab on dry asphalt and even around a corner i did not feel the binding like I think it should have.

Anyone else think this is very wrong ? I'm getting to the point of changing clothes when I get home tonight and making sure the factory didn't forget to install the front drive shaft!
 
#3 ·
What tires do you have? The 18" latitudes are poor on ice and snow. Changed mine to Michelin LTX M/S 2's and it made a big difference. The system as it works is very different then my 98 5.9 LImited and 96 Limited. I have been driving around a lot more in the snow and I have become more accustomed to the way it behaves on ice and snow. The old school driving skill is at conflict with the system wanting to take over and go about the braking to prevent oversteer etc. The tires made a difference though. My wifes Limited has the Goodyear 20" and they seem to handle much better. None of these tires are over the top great on snow ice but I find the LTX M/S 2's to be the best all around tire.
 
#57 ·
What tires do you have? The 18" latitudes are poor on ice and snow. Changed mine to Michelin LTX M/S 2's and it made a big difference. The system as it works is very different then my 98 5.9 LImited and 96 Limited. I have been driving around a lot more in the snow and I have become more accustomed to the way it behaves on ice and snow. The old school driving skill is at conflict with the system wanting to take over and go about the braking to prevent oversteer etc. The tires made a difference though. My wifes Limited has the Goodyear 20" and they seem to handle much better. None of these tires are over the top great on snow ice but I find the LTX M/S 2's to be the best all around tire.[/QUOTE]

You are correct I was in the mountains in PA this past December hunting with my Dad and he had the Michelin LTX MS2s on his '04 Dakota. We were going places in deep snow and ice in other places where all others were running tire chains just to make it up hills and even to stay on the narrow mountain passes. I can't speak for how well they are on road but I just couldn't believe it…the traction that truck had. I thought we were going to get stuck because of how deep the snow was (dragging bottom and pushing snow at times) but the tires never slipped a wheel they just went even on ice it was remarkable. His previous tires were Goodyear's and we couldn't go anywhere without putting on tire chains. It was like a different truck. They're an awesome tire.:thumbsup:
 
#4 ·
Blackwolf, did your '06 GC have ESP? wjs is on to something with having to learn to drive a modern, computer-controlled car differently in the snow. I've found the WK2 to be very sure-footed in the snow, even with the stock rubber. My old '06 KJ (which had ESP) was like a mountain goat, especially with A/T rubber on it. I'm finding the WK2 to be just as good in the snow even with the crap tires. Having full-time 4wd (versus part-time in the KJ) is nice, too, because I don't have to turn it off & on all day as I hit dry patches.
 
#5 ·
No issues for me in the snow. We had another 10cm last night and while other vehicles were sliding around, the WK2 felt very secure. I went through a 2.5 foot bank in front of my house like there was nothing there. Running Hakkas for tires.

Feels as good as my 2000 model with QD1. That Jeep had so much traction it was almost a fault. It could drag it's belly when it did not have the clearance on obstacles. :)
 
#6 ·
I can't remember what set of rubber came with mine, it's the stock 18in tire but I believe there were two options and I can't remember whaich I have. I'll look tonight.

My 06 was a QD1 with ESP. So far it handeled better in the snow than this one does.

The thing that really has me worries in the fact that I felt no driveline bind around a dry corner with 4Low engajed this morning. I'm going to sniff around underneath the truck this evening maybe do some more controlled tests.

Maybe I just have to get use to it but it just feels a lot less in control than I feel it should.
 
#7 ·
No problem for me with the stock Latitudes so far, but then again I only had a couple inches to play in so far.... forward traction was impressive, abs modulation in snow mode was spot on, and I could do 4 wheel drifts with ease

in any event its much more stable then a rwd Mazda RX8 with snow tires -shrug-
 
#8 ·
I've been pleasantly surprised so far. The roads here have been more icy than snow, but in the snowy patches and unplowed roads, the performance has been great (I have the 20s).

I have noticed that the 4WD engagement has been completely seamless (QTII). I noticed slight differences in snow mode vs. auto mode, but it's certainly nothing like an old-school 4WD system (and definitely not like the 4WD in the 07 Wrangler I turned on). No crow hop around corners, which I certainly don't miss.

The combination of ESC, all-speed traction control, and the 4WD system can take some getting used to if you haven't experienced the systems working together before. I noticed that depending on the conditions, the ESC and traction control seem to kick in, and not the 4WD system itself. It really depends which wheels have traction and which don't.

But overall, the system has worked well so far.
 
#9 ·
I had my first chance to try mine out with a snow storm we had a couple days ago. I think the snow traction was great on take off it would bite good and I didn't have any problems or complaints. The next day we had a lot of icy roads all day and I had to do a lot of driving probably 70 miles on off and on icy roads. There was one time slowing down on pure ice it seems like the rear wanted to kick out but didn't. Then later that night driving home I approached and areas that was all ice again and as I started to slow this thing went almost sideways. Not really sure why just started to slow from about 35 and the rear started to come around and then I was able to get it staightened out and continue. I was lucky no cars were coming from the other direction. I have had 5 Grand Cherokees and never had this happen. Normally when you slow on ice I hear the ABS and the vehicle stays straight and this one seems to do the same in almost all cases except those two incidents.
 
#10 ·
Towed a 3300 lb trailer about 15 miles the other day in 3 inches of fresh snow. I have the 18's and had no problem. But definitely glad I had the Hemi power for that. I do like the ability to manually control the 4 wheel drive like in my 02 grand but this jeep seems to handle better than my 06 commander in the snow probably because of the extra weight.
 
#11 ·
I think it is the ESP you are not use to. You steer as if you would on a normal dry road pointing the car in the direction you want to go, not by thinking of the conditions and preemptive correcting for the motions. It is very hard to get use to in the snow and it varies by vehicle.
 
#13 · (Edited)
No, thats not it. As I said before, one of my previaous vehicals was a 2006 Grand. It's when driving as you say above that the rear end is kicking out and I don't believe it should.

I've been driving Chicago winters for 20+ years in every conceivable type of vehical so it's not that I'm green. Drawing on all the experience I've had I believe this Jeep should handle much beter than it does. I'm just not sure if it's a issue with the design or something not functioning properly with my truck.

<edit> I think Foggy may be on the right track with a poor choice of stock tires by Jeep.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I have the 18" latitudes. We have had lots of snow and a rain / ice storm that has coated our roads creating the worst situation (ish).

I am not very impressed with the traction from these tires. I get by....but I don't think I have the traction my old Acadia provided. I don't want to get a second set of winter tires.....as I thought that's what Jeep would provide with ALL SEASON tires on an OFF ROAD ADVENTURE rated vehicle with traction control, yadda yadda. What was I thinking? :rolleyes:
 
#15 ·
when I had my 99 GC with QD I could do what ever I wanted in snow and never got sideways. This was before traction control or any other computer assistance. Once I switched to my 02, 07 and now 2011 GC with QTII I have to be more careful in the snow. Driving threw my subdivision in the snow with multiple turns I have to be careful not to slide threw the turn or have the rear kick out. I have learned to adapt to driving this way, but it was nice having the feeling of a more stable Jeep back in the day.
 
#16 ·
The rear end of my vehicle will come all the way around very easily if I gun it just a bit. I did not expect that from a vehicle these days with all the traction control etc. Very surprising from this new Jeep.....although our roads are bad....and I see others sliding too. Maybe its the relatively short wheelbase?

I may go take a ride in my old Acadia to compare.....cause this does NOT meet my expectations.
 
#17 · (Edited)
We had good snow last week and starting traction was good with Std Goodyear Fortera HL. But cornering was suspect. So opted to Change 20" std wheels and tires for 18" Rims and Bridgestone Blizzaks DMV1 winter treads. Change was noticeable! Much better. So added nice Tire rack for Garage to store std one and use winter one's for 3-4 months and put 20's back on in the Spring!

All is good

Bob
 
#18 ·
I imagine I'll run a set of winter rubber too, maybe even studs since we get a lot of ice.

At least I'd rather have it handle like a RWD than front. Despite what everyone might think front wheel drive is the worst in slick conditions. You might be a little better off until you plow the front end and drive right off the road. At least with RWD you can carefully modulate the throttle and its easier to correct to keep the rear from snapping around.

Anyway considering all the advanced traction systems in the jeep the tires are clearly the weakest link.
 
#19 ·
I found my '06 RWD Charger with snow tires was better on ice and in snow than my '04 GC with all seasons. It made me a believer in having snow tires for winter driving. We haven't had much snow yet to test out my '11 GC with snow tires, but so far so good.
 
#21 ·
saw this in the trouble shooting section
http://jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?p=318031#post318031

post 51
Re: 2nd Breakdown in just over 2 weeks!!!
Update:
The dealer test drove the Jeep in the desert and had the same problem again, but it resolved itself the moment they got it back on tarmac. So basically it does not have 4WD while off-roading.
They do not know what the problem is and therefore sent the fault codes to Chrysler US. They are expecting an answer on Monday 20 Dec.
Until then I will just drive it on-road and hope for the best.
 
#22 ·
Had my first experience with our WK2 Overland, V6, Quadra-Trac II. Only an inch, but was enough to cover the roads and make a mess. This is our 6th Jeep Grand Cherokee, I had a 1997 with Quadra-Trac, 2000 with Selec-Trac, 2002 with Quadra-Drive and a 2006 with Quadra-Drive II. This jeep is by for the most sure-footed out of all of them. The traction control takes some getting use to because it does make clacking and groaning noises, however it is far quicker to get the power down then any of the previous systems. I'm very impressed. I drove up and down some steep hills and HDC is amazing!!

If this Jeep turns out to be reliable it will be the best GC yet!
 
#34 ·
I posted some experience about the 18" Latitude Tours on another thread; last paragraph at the link attached.

They are not great snow tires, but I've found them better that I expected, at least while their tread is brand new.

http://jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?p=320421#post320421

As for poor snow performance, I find that almost any tires can be poor in the greasy, slushy type snow that often forms on salted city streets near the freezing temperature.
 
#24 ·
Since I live in Florida, I don't expect to drive in snow. Both of my vehicles(09 Ranger and 2011 Laredo X, Hemi) have Michelin Latitude Tours and my opinion is they're great tires for rain and dry roads. They will also last with proper rotation. Sounds like the folks in the snowy areas will have to strongly consider snow tires. I know I'm glad I didn't have to "settle" for Goodyears. Never had any decent Goodyear tires. Especially those Goodyear Wranglers!
 
#29 ·
I know I'm glad I didn't have to "settle" for Goodyears. Never had any decent Goodyear tires. Especially those Goodyear Wranglers!
Goodyear has really turned their ship around. A few years ago I never considered them at all, but now they have a bunch of really great tires. Michelin, however, seems to have really slipped- they just don't have much that I'd strongly consider.

In most any industry you see leaders resting on their laurels and losing their edge while the basement dwellers really get on their game and leap to the head of the pack. Then after a few years it changes up again.
 
#25 ·
Just drove home in fresh 5 inches of snow. I had no problems getting traction on take off or plowing threw the snow that wasn't plowed. It's when turning corners at slow speed you have to take your time and let the Jeep do it's thing. Tracking control worked fine as did the ABS when needed. Once I got closer to home I got on it a little around the corner and fought to keep the rear end spinning around.
 
#27 ·
Neither end of our Overland with 20's and Fortera got out of line or wanted to push unless I got on the throttle. The Jeep with the V6 seems to be very neutral with it's handling, that's why I went for it vs. the Hemi which had an less than ideal weight distribution.

Anyway, worse thing about the snow performance was the crappy stock wipers!
 
#28 ·
#32 ·
I wish you could specify what tires you wanted when you buy a car. I have never been impressed with factory offered tires.
 
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